Philomena (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
A sweet old woman circa age 70 searches for her long-lost son with the help of a cynical journalist who's hungry for a human interest story in 'Philomena' (directed by Stephen Frears, Dangerous Liaisons, The Grifters, The Queen). This film plays as part mom-looking-for-her-child story, part mismatched buddy flick. Yet, the film is also about so much more: it's about faith, religious guilt, believers, non-believers, Catholics, hypocrites, & forgiveness. Philomena encounters all of these aspects of the story & we see how she responds to each revelation & setback. The film is assuredly directed, beautifully shot, elegantly scored by Alexandre Desplat, & endearingly performed by Judi Dench. It is based on a true story & adapted for the screen by both Steven Coogan & Jeff Pope.
Coogan himself plays Martin Sixsmith, said journalist who has been fired from his British government job & is looking for new work. He hears about a retired Irish nurse, Philomena Lee (Dench), who has been struggling, in secret, find the son she was forced to give up 47 yrs. ago when he was 3. Philomena is a devout Irish woman & was a pregnant Catholic teenager in Ireland in the 1952 ... in other words, disaster. She was sent to a church convent where she & other unwed mothers worked as servants as penance for their "sins" while their innocent children were given up for cheap adoption to Americans. Martin views 'human interest' stories, such as Philomena's, with utter disdain (that they're not real news). He's also an atheist. But with no other immediate prospects on the horizon, and sensing that this seemingly small human story has more dimensions to it than meets the eye ... he meets Philomena & agrees to help her find her Anthony.
Their emotional journey takes them back to the prison-like convent & eventually to Washington D.C. I won't say how their search ends, but I'll say that it's surprisingly tender & quietly powerful. Once Anthony is 'found', Philomena grapples with the some thought-provoking, heartrending questions: 1) was he better off in his new life than if he'd been with her? 2) Did he ever wish to find her, or even think of her? 3) Was the heartbreak she suffered for 50 yrs. deserved because of her carnal sins? 4) And who is responsible for taking him away from her that fateful day at the Irish convent in 1955?
One of the best aspects about this movie is the interactions btwn. Philomena & Martin. He's this cocky, self-pitying Oxford grad. She's this elderly Irish lady with a sheltered existence who, despite her issues with the Church, is still a devout believer in God & humanity. It’s fun watching them banter as he tries to bury his negative reactions to her naivete. i.e., she's surprised by chocolates on the hotel pillows, can't get over the free mimosa on the plane, delights in the "little bits of toast" that she puts on her continental buffet salad, etc.. But cynical Martin still has a lot on his mind. He needs this hot, juicy story {he's getting it, alright}. He argues with Philomena over religion. And yet, he is also touched by her search, & is outraged by the injustice perpetrated against her. At the convent, Martin unleashes a righteous indignation against the nun who was instrumental in Philomena's horrific treatment of Philomena. Moreover, he doesn't understand why Philomena isn't outraged, too. "I'm angry!", he bellows. Philomena's calm response, "... it must be exhausting (to be so mad about something)".
And it's that kind of response that defines her. She faces regrets, mourns her losses, feels sorry for missed opportunities ... she even has a mini-crisis of faith halfway through the film. But why be angry about something you can't change? Those responsible for the injustices will - according to her faith - be judged in the afterlife. She believes that completely. Why be resentful? Philomena has allowed herself to live life to the fullest despite those early years imprisoned in the convent. It's her understanding that forgiveness is a healing force which counterpoints Martin's anger; thus, forcing him to look at the world with a degree of acceptance.
You know, there's quiet satisfaction in the way Philomena achieves closure at the end of these proceedings. The movie is cathartic, especially for anyone who has felt the wrath of the institutional Catholic Church & its persecution of those who express their sexuality. The film also touches upon homophobia in America, as well as floundering allegiances to the Reagan administration/Republican Party. The final scenes speak of ideas & ideals of God, repentance, faith and, ultimately, the power of forgiveness. 'Philomena' is a great little film. From the beautiful wintry settings in Ireland, to the multi-dimensional writing, to the performances, I can safely say that 'Philomena' is in the top echelon of films that I've seen in 2013 - and that's saying a lot in this strong cinematic year.
Coogan himself plays Martin Sixsmith, said journalist who has been fired from his British government job & is looking for new work. He hears about a retired Irish nurse, Philomena Lee (Dench), who has been struggling, in secret, find the son she was forced to give up 47 yrs. ago when he was 3. Philomena is a devout Irish woman & was a pregnant Catholic teenager in Ireland in the 1952 ... in other words, disaster. She was sent to a church convent where she & other unwed mothers worked as servants as penance for their "sins" while their innocent children were given up for cheap adoption to Americans. Martin views 'human interest' stories, such as Philomena's, with utter disdain (that they're not real news). He's also an atheist. But with no other immediate prospects on the horizon, and sensing that this seemingly small human story has more dimensions to it than meets the eye ... he meets Philomena & agrees to help her find her Anthony.
Their emotional journey takes them back to the prison-like convent & eventually to Washington D.C. I won't say how their search ends, but I'll say that it's surprisingly tender & quietly powerful. Once Anthony is 'found', Philomena grapples with the some thought-provoking, heartrending questions: 1) was he better off in his new life than if he'd been with her? 2) Did he ever wish to find her, or even think of her? 3) Was the heartbreak she suffered for 50 yrs. deserved because of her carnal sins? 4) And who is responsible for taking him away from her that fateful day at the Irish convent in 1955?
One of the best aspects about this movie is the interactions btwn. Philomena & Martin. He's this cocky, self-pitying Oxford grad. She's this elderly Irish lady with a sheltered existence who, despite her issues with the Church, is still a devout believer in God & humanity. It’s fun watching them banter as he tries to bury his negative reactions to her naivete. i.e., she's surprised by chocolates on the hotel pillows, can't get over the free mimosa on the plane, delights in the "little bits of toast" that she puts on her continental buffet salad, etc.. But cynical Martin still has a lot on his mind. He needs this hot, juicy story {he's getting it, alright}. He argues with Philomena over religion. And yet, he is also touched by her search, & is outraged by the injustice perpetrated against her. At the convent, Martin unleashes a righteous indignation against the nun who was instrumental in Philomena's horrific treatment of Philomena. Moreover, he doesn't understand why Philomena isn't outraged, too. "I'm angry!", he bellows. Philomena's calm response, "... it must be exhausting (to be so mad about something)".
And it's that kind of response that defines her. She faces regrets, mourns her losses, feels sorry for missed opportunities ... she even has a mini-crisis of faith halfway through the film. But why be angry about something you can't change? Those responsible for the injustices will - according to her faith - be judged in the afterlife. She believes that completely. Why be resentful? Philomena has allowed herself to live life to the fullest despite those early years imprisoned in the convent. It's her understanding that forgiveness is a healing force which counterpoints Martin's anger; thus, forcing him to look at the world with a degree of acceptance.
You know, there's quiet satisfaction in the way Philomena achieves closure at the end of these proceedings. The movie is cathartic, especially for anyone who has felt the wrath of the institutional Catholic Church & its persecution of those who express their sexuality. The film also touches upon homophobia in America, as well as floundering allegiances to the Reagan administration/Republican Party. The final scenes speak of ideas & ideals of God, repentance, faith and, ultimately, the power of forgiveness. 'Philomena' is a great little film. From the beautiful wintry settings in Ireland, to the multi-dimensional writing, to the performances, I can safely say that 'Philomena' is in the top echelon of films that I've seen in 2013 - and that's saying a lot in this strong cinematic year.